This park, which was established on 8th December 1995, is dispersed in a land area of 23,498ha, is rich in biodiversity with water bodies nourishing the land area, which attracts animals to graze on the lush green grasslands. Inheriting characteristics of a dry-mixed-evergreen forest; it serves as a link between Yala protected area complex on its west & Udawalawe National Parks to its west, that facilitate as a protected corridor for elephants who are migrating between above said National Parks.

Lying in the dry zone, the climate in the park is characterized by a bimodal seasonal rainfall pattern with high temperature conditions. Average annual rainfall is about 1000mm and it decreases in the park area from North-south and west-east. The annual average temperature hovers around 300C.